I was happy until I heard your song(Ignorance=Bliss reviews)

[Nigel (spOOn) Clements]

Spoons: An experiment that worked... mostly!

Delirimouse: Love the wailing guitar intro, though it would be better if it didn't permeate right through the song, your vox are quite similar to furry pedro's, I'm liking the indie-feel of this and thats a cool outro, possibly a little lacking in variation throughout to keep the listener interested.

Melvin: Yes back to your Weezer roots I see/hear, sweet vocals, sweet song, sweet production, possibly a little long.

Bonfire of the Manatees: The intro has me thinking straight away of Elastica/Garbage, the male vox are very good and could do with coming up a touch, the female vox are 100% spot on, and give the track that cool garbage feel hinted at during the intro. Excellent track!

Damien Verrett: Nice meandering intro which works its way towards its purpose quite nicely, this is very very anti-folk in its feel and the bah bah bah's coupled with the penny whistle/recorder just pushes the plaudits way up there, I love this style!

Chin Music: Holy Mother of God! this is excellent, is that a real dog barking in the background, I look at a track like this and the words homage and tribute just jump right out at me, and what better to pay that homage to than those of the Muddy Waters/Howlin' Wolf ilk. Superb!

Semolina Pilchards: Interesting track, which to these ears seems to suffer from having too many ideas at the outset and not really making up its mind just where it wants to go, eventually not quite fullfilling its own promise, the first vox is a bit muffled which doesnt help, and the second vox is well clear, I dunno, sometimes I maybe want too much... sorry!

Seamus Collective: Quite a latin cabaret going on here, nice track, nice vocals, everything very safe and nice here, just doesn't make these particular juices flow, apart from that is the bit that goes 'Ahhhhh!'

Darkest Daves: Have you heard 'Bert and Ernie are Gay' by the Hot waffles? now that songs funny, but this dudes is the mutha fuckin shit, a triumph of rock/comedy/irreverance, somewhere in an alternate dimension this song is number one forever... sorry I've just got to type this... 'SWEAT AND BLOOD AND BUSTED SEAMS' you guys should so send this to Dr. Demento. Brilliant!

Booty Chesterfields: Yeah this compliments the previous track quite nicely, good lyrics wity a good sing-a-long feel, another winner from the antipodean house of ideas.

Team Seahorse: This has a very familiar feel to it with a nice poppy edge, a touch Beatles-esqu and a tad long mayhaps!

Steve Durand: Great story/moral delivered with your usual aplomb, you really are a master at this style, by the way my postman loves your stuff!

Ross Durand: the other half of that oh so talented family, this is very black, very goodbye mr. mackenzie, extremely understated and quite simply effective and moving!

Rone Rivendale: Better than last week and really quite accessable, well done!

Paco del Stinko: Ah another track to add to my free Paco del Stinko album!!! typical stinko madness/goodness, you never fail to impress and force a smile onto these old scowly lips, excellent considering this was thrown together!

MMMC: Interesting topical take, very good rap as usual, though the beats are a touch samey, though that whistling noise is nice!

Milk Machine: I can hear what you wanted to do, and to a degree this really works but for me its maybe just a little too maudlin!

Eddie Lance: Good idea, 'specially like the "You don't think I'm sleeping with Bob" line,and the "where's Mom?" is a predictable choker!

Jolly Roger: Hey! nice mature feel, a real grower , this is slowly eating its way under my skin and in about six months all the little Jolly Roger song eggs are gonna hatch and I'll be humming your tunes forever... damn you!

Hillbilly: Yep this is very decent but it just doesnt seem to stab at me the way it should for this style.

Wormsweater: Very similar in style and atmosphere to the frisbees, nice floaty feel maybe a little too floaty... question, Do you have any effects on your voice here or is it just you? because it sounds really nice!

Top Five for me this week are (in no particular order):
The Darkest Daves
Chin Music
Bonfire of the Manatees
Paco del Stinko
Steve Durand

[Sick and Wrong]

Some reviews --

Team Seahorse:
+ good lyrics
+ good singing form everyone
- too much sameness, sameity, same... too homogenous. Needs more changes.
- do something about your software/hardware guitar amp emulator. It's got no punch or sparkle.
- lose a few of the repeats in the refrain -- this needs to be about :45 shorter.

Chin Music:
+ 1926 in an alternate universe.
+ dog barking
- a little too much bass/low midrange in the EQ @ ~250Hz
+ I like the baby's name
+ cool effect and pretty authentic

Seamus Collective:
+ I like the call/response vocals
+ shiney, polished lyrics
+ cool solo
+ nice horns
- where's the ignorance? This song is painfully aware.

Eddie Lance:
+ 21st century American opera
- forget the bitch and start over
= get a good lawyer NOW.
+ heady stuff; real sad after my blood pressure returns to normal. My youngest son is about as old as the girl at the end.

Milk Machine:
+ like the EP
- don't like the vox
= seems kinda fitting coming after the previous song.

I'll do more if my laptop doesn't crash on Media Player anymore...

[Koushirou]

question

if you had the guess the influences for the delirimouse song

what bands would you name

thanks

[Kill Me Sarah]

And now, the REST of the story...

Chin Music: LoFi bluesy goodness...

Damien Verrett: You sound like you've been listening to a lot of Bright Eyes, who I love. I think you pulled off this style well.

delirimouse: This sounds a little like the other Mouse...the Modest one. I like the guitar that meanders throughout. It would benefit from some more interesting percussion. The vocals are decent throughout and really good in parts...the parts that sound improvised are the best.

Eddie Lance: Interesting, but I keep waiting for a SONG, y'know? Like some singing. Oddly what fascinates me more than anything is the way the basketball dribbling is somehow panned left.

Hill Billy: This song is good. But it's not really competing material, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, unless you're trying to win. I often find that songs that might do well on an album with other songs, don't fare as well on SF. On Song Fight!, all songs should be a track #7.

Jolly Roger: This is a pretty good song. The mix sounds a little off to me, I think it's the drums. It's like they sound like they're being played live rhythmically, but they sound weak in the recording. Not that they're too quiet, but they're not punchy enough. This may be a compression issue, though I'm no expert. Listen to Melvin's drums.

Melvin: First of all, being able to turn in the quality you do every week astounds me. You are one of those people who if you were a random person submitting each week you'd probably win every week, but since you're Melvin and we all know what you're capable of, we expect a lot more of you. Here's what I think about this week's entry. It does sound very Weezer, but I personally would rather hear more Pinkerton and less Make Believe. I'd actually like to hear you be a little sloppier and riskier.

Milk Machine: I like the organ it's a little Eels-y. You seem to be singing w/in your range, but you fall a little flat at times. Nothing that won't be remedied over time. In the meantime, if you could manage some harmony or double tracking with a second vocal sung the next octave higher, that would improve things lots. Some additional instrumentation would be nice too.

MMMC: You are talented at what you do. The recording presents the most problems. The highs are way too prevalent for me. It's a little difficult for me to listen to just for that reason. I'd like to hear the lows and mids boosted in the EQ. The backing instrumentation could come up a bit in the mix, and some more variation in the beats. This is hip hop after all.

Paco: Sounds like the theme song to Happy Days This song is fun...I like "blurry" parts.

Ross Durand: I like the guitar. I agree w/ some of the other statements about the vocals. Having read your earlier post I know you are probably more aware of what's wrong with the vocals than the rest of us. I think everyone submits a couple songs where they rushed through one part to get it submitted in time and then regret it later (except Dan-O).

Semolina Pilchards: Have you ever opened up a song in your internet browser and then opened up another song in another browser and they're both playing at the same time? That's how this sounds to me. That said, it has elements with a lot of promise. The Ebow is fantastic. I've always wanted one of those.

Team Seahorse: Ah yes...this is the Yacht Rock Revival. I really like the chorus of this, the rest doesn't fit in my ears right.

wormsweater: the intro of this is a little long. The song itself is nice. Very mellow, good minimalist drumming. The drums and guitar are actually a little Jack Johnson-esque but the vox are not, which I like because Jack Johnson has done more than enough same sounding vocals for several bands.

Okay, I think that's all. Thanks for the music people.

I really liked Seamus Collective this week because they are apparently just a vote gathering machine.

[glennny]

Bonfire of the Manatees-Pretty cool song. Not as catchy a riff as All Tan. The bass is not as tight as I would like. The line is OK the performance re-recorded would probably strengthen this song a lot. This is very sassy. I look forward to more Bof the M!

Booty Chesterfield Trio feat Caravan Ray- Nice and weird evil Seasame Street riff! I wish the vocals while good were a little lower in the mix. This is the perfect length, no dragging at all. Cool tune.

Worm Sweater-I like this a lot. It breathes nicely. It’s REALLY quiet, I have to double the volume to hear it, but it’s well worth it. My favorite is the beginning acoustic noodles with the wind in the mic. It is pretty loose sounding, I wish the guitar and drums were just a slight bit higher in the mix. Good Stuff!

Steve Durand- I have a hard time listening to Steve Durand and not cracking the biggest smile. This is delightful! Horns are great, nice swing tune! Reminds me of 1996 and that whole resurgence of swing.

Team Seahorse- A Songfight Super-Group powerhouse. I suppose it’s very yacht-rock to have a super group. Your bad music makes me puke! (just kidding). Well, I appreciate this more after seeing the yacht-rock skits. So this song is OK, has a little more edge than true yacht rock (turn up the smooth). This galloping riff sounds like slowed down metal. Good stuff!

Seamus Collective- So I was at Ken’s recording the Semolina Pilchards track, I got to listen to the Team Seahorse, and the Seamus Collective in progress. We both knew the Seamus song was a winner. My first reaction was “I can’t compete with thatâ€

[glennny]

question

if you had the guess the influences for the delirimouse song

what bands would you name

thanks

I second the Modest Mouse assertion, that's because of the slide guitar in an indie tune (more MM than Dinosaur Jr.). The rhythm and chords and tempo make me start to sing "Jaime" by Weezer, but the thing about 1, 4 is it could be a billion songs. The vocal delivery reminds me of David Byrne and the talking Heads if you're old school, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah if you're new school.

[Erwin Cloibhofer]

----------

[Paco Del Stinko]

BTW Paco no review for Semolina Pilchards? What’s up? (No worries, lot’s to review)

I completely apologize, I hate to leave anyone out! I have entered the comments from my notes where they were supposed to be in the original review. I had to write the reviews three times that day, and you guys were the lucky winners of my cross eyed forgetfulness. Sorry, and please don't anyone hesitate to holler at me if I forget again.

[ken]

the semolina pilchards
cool hypnotic arrangement. vocals sound alot like ken. fess up.

It's no secret that it is me and Glennny.

Now when you start recognizing my drumming, that will be an accomplishment.

Ken

[Dave - so dark...]

Spoons: An experiment that worked... mostly!
Darkest Daves: Have you heard 'Bert and Ernie are Gay' by the Hot waffles? now that songs funny, but this dudes is the mutha fuckin shit, a triumph of rock/comedy/irreverance, somewhere in an alternate dimension this song is number one forever... sorry I've just got to type this... 'SWEAT AND BLOOD AND BUSTED SEAMS' you guys should so send this to Dr. Demento. Brilliant!

Thanks! I'll have to find the song you mentioned. we love that line too.. it didn't quite fit, lyrical rhythmn wise, but it had to go in. had to.

Thanks again!

[Dave - so dark...]

And now, the REST of the story...

Okay, I think that's all. Thanks for the music people.

Where's the obligatory hate KMS? Not even a little hate? or even a word of mild distain? and after I semi backed you up earlier in this thread too.

SNUBBED!!

no.. it's alright. I can deal.


*puts pants on*
*cries quietly in the corner*

[Kill Me Sarah]

Sorry Daves...I read the lyrics for this before it was posted and had no desire to listen to this song. I'm not for censorship, but you should be aware that explicit lyrics like these will alienate some people.

[Caravan Ray]

Heh...Nobody likes a potty-mouth, Dave(s)!

I wrote reviews at work today - but I lost them.

Will try to find them again and post tomorrow

A brief summary though:
Ross Durand will be getting a vote
Rone Rivendale won't be getting a vote

[jeff robertson]

Note that I am writing these before reading anybody else's reviews, so if I say the same thing as somebody else, it's just a case of great minds thinking alike. The reviews will probably get progressively negative as I work my way through the fight and lose patience with all these songs.

Bonfire of the Mannatees - I like the fact that your song this time has more than just guitar and drums. Is that one guitar or two around 0:22? I can't tell if it's really just one guitar that bounces from left to right, or two guitars with the exact same tone. I can't imagine everyone will like this guitar tone, but I do like it. Having a guy sing one verse and then a girl sing the next verse is a very Country and Western thing to do. (At least in my cultural background it is.)

Booty and Caravan Ray - Ya'll were made to collaborate.

Chin Music - sounds like someone playing a Bob Dylan record over a cellphone, in the rain, with barking dogs and shit in the background. That's a compliment btw.

Damien Verret - Is your voice really that high, or is it pitch-shifted? No shame in the latter, I do it all the time myself. Just curious. Nice song, more the sort of thing my wife would like than me (most people agree she has better taste than I do)

Darkest Daves - I was just about to write, where's the metal when you guys pulled it out around 0:36. Somehow reminds me of Ozzy Fudd.

Delirimouse - Someone about the vocal harmonies makes me uncomfortable. The rythym guitar is way muddy. However, it sounds like all this intentional so OK. Distorted synth piano is always a good thing.

Eclectic Spoons - Wow.

Eddie Lance - If you actually wrote all this dialog, directed the actors when they read it, edited all the sound effects, and played the piano yourself, this is alright. If you just edited together some dialog and music from a bunch of movies or something..

Hillbilly - The acoustic guitar doesn't sound "acoustic" somehow. Otherwise, good song.

Jolly Roger - One or more guitars need to be tuned. I know, I know, pot calling kettle black.

Melvin - did you and Jolly Roger record versions of the same song... no, the lyrics are different.

Milk Machine - Where did all these southern accents come from? I thought I was the only southern-sounding person on here.

MMMC - playing the genre bias card.

Paco Del Stinko - There are only a limited number of songs where these vocals would work, but this is definately one of them. Also dig the guitars.

Rone - plead the fifth again.

Ross Durand - Damn, that's some deep vocals. Probably my favorite 'song" (as a pure composition of chords/melody/lyrics) in the fight. Doesn't mean I'll vote for it, neccessarily but I figured I'd let you know.

Seamus - Impressive vocal range. Reminds me too much of that song where every verse ends "where were they doing without even knowing the way".

Semolina Pilchards - I like every individual component of this, but I'm not crazy about the way it all fits together.

Steve Durand - If only these lyrics were true... if only the blissfully ignorant were actually stuck in the lowest paying jobs in our world.

Team Seahorse - How many lead singers are in this band? I hear at least three. This is some kind of supergroup isn't it?

Wormsweater - long intro loses my interest. When the song really starts it OK, not neccessarily something I'd listen to unless it just happened to come on the radio.

[halen99]

Eddie Lance - If you actually wrote all this dialog, directed the actors when they read it, edited all the sound effects, and played the piano yourself, this is alright. If you just edited together some dialog and music from a bunch of movies or something..

Hi. I came up with the concept, wote the music and played the piano, wrote some of the script. The argument was a sound byte I had which I edited to fit. I used my child for the "where's mom". So mostly all me yes.

Eddie

[JAK]

Chin Music sez:

There were so many… Sorry if my comments are a little brief, a little not-very-bright regarding technique, and… (looks down at pages) (shuffles pages) I was impressed as usual by this group, so this will be just a brief (drops pages on floor, drops to knees to retrieve them) ah, review, good job everyone (glasses fall off end of nose, clatter off the stage)…

Steve Durand — Nice small-band sound, very clever horns (horns specifically are inventive in the same way as Leroy Shield’s writing. Also a bit of Squirrel Nut Zippers. Nice.

Bonfire of the Manatees — Wanted to understand the lyrics more, but that’s just my prejudice; very good crunch guitar & vocals.

eclectic sp00ns — Listening to this while gazing at your avatar thingie produces a multimedia experience. A successful departure from musical Earth.

Damien Verrett — Pop musik deconstructed, following the Ig Iz Bliss thought, if that can be called a “thought.â€

[Erwin Cloibhofer]

----------

[JAK]

One definition of pathetic fallacy I found via google: "The ascribing of human traits or feelings to inanimate nature for eloquent effect, especially feelings in sympathy with those expressed or experienced by the writer."

The more typical example is "it was a dark & stormy night" leading to a story about a crime -- using weather to externalize the conflict within humans. Sort of like that. So.

[Ross]

Ross Durand - ...Probably my favorite 'song" (as a pure composition of chords/melody/lyrics) in the fight. Doesn't mean I'll vote for it, neccessarily but I figured I'd let you know.

Thanks, man - I'll totally take that. A high compliment

[Dave - so dark...]

Sorry Daves...I read the lyrics for this before it was posted and had no desire to listen to this song. I'm not for censorship, but you should be aware that explicit lyrics like these will alienate some people.

You arn't for censorship, but you decided after reading the lyrics to censor the song from your ears? I'm all for hypocrisy, but come on... "Hot for his puppet hole" pure genius that.

As for the explicit lyrics. When writing a punk/hard rock song about the unrequieted love of one grown puppet for his lifelong friend -- not swearing would be an injustice. I just wish I had written the lyrics myself. *bows in awe of Dave M and Dave L*

Not to worry, console yourself with the sheer fact that your genre bias wouldn't have allowed you to enjoy the song for it's qualities anyway, and I certainly prefer no comment to a stupid comment about how you thought it sounded like this or that person who you have no idea about.

Though i do wonder that if you are excluding songs with swearing, and songs without ID3 tags... Although I notice you reviewed other songs this week with swearing, so perhaps the content you dislike is the homosexual references, though booty chesterfield's song contained that as well... or perhaps the fact that those references are made in context with childhood figures. This interests me... what exactly alienated you from listening to our song? edit: heh. i re-read the lyrics and I can understand. nevermind :) /edit

Though all in all your decision not to listen to it is completely your own, and doesn't require to adhere to any standards or logic that you or anyone else hold. Though you should note that if you had just said "Daves - didn't listen to you because i don't like your lyrics." i wouldn't have asked why you missed us out... though you might still have gotten this rant anyway. heh! life is grand.

Oh well, I should have stopped typing long ago, but there you have it. Nothing personal, I just hate you now. grin.

[Dave - so dark...]

:lol: Heh...Nobody likes a potty-mouth, Dave(s)!

Of course they do. You love it, you dirty little vixen, you.

[Caravan Ray]

perhaps the content you dislike is the homosexual references, though booty chesterfield's song contained that as well...

No - my lyrics are referring to receiving oral sex from a man dressed like a woman - see, that's not gay at all, just an honest mistake. As long as they're dressed like a woman then it's all above board and completely normal. The "well it was dark and I couldn't really tell..." defence is an argument that will stand up in any court of law.